Bel Air commissioners approve three ordinances, amend holiday free‑parking, and award police upfit contract

The Bel Air Board of Town Commissioners on Oct. 20, 2025 voted unanimously to approve a package of local measures and a procurement contract. Key actions taken during the meeting included changes to a town commission’s quorum and meeting requirement, a new historic‑preservation tax credit, acceptance of a sewer pumping‑station deed, an amended holiday free‑parking period, and approval of a cooperative purchase for police vehicle upfits.

Why it matters: the ordinances affect how one of the town’s advisory commissions operates and create a 25% tax credit to help owners preserve designated historic properties; the sewer deed clears title for a town asset; the parking resolution adjusts the free‑parking period used to support downtown businesses; and the vehicle contract funds equipment for patrol vehicles already approved in the town’s FY26 capital plan.

Votes at a glance

- Ordinance 8‑47‑25 (Town Code Chapter 10, Economic and Community Development Commission): The ordinance changes the commission’s quorum from a fixed number to a majority of members and increases the minimum required meetings to eight per year. Commissioner Taylor moved the approval; Commissioner Chismar seconded. The clerk recorded ayes from Commissioners Rutledge, Chismar, Taylor, Chance and Chair Eddington. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 8‑48‑25 (Historic preservation; Tax credit for historic restoration and preservation): The ordinance amends the code to authorize a 25% tax credit for qualifying historic preservation work. Commissioner James B. Rutledge III noted the Historic Preservation Commission developed the proposal; a motion to adopt was made and seconded. Recorded vote: Rutledge, Chismar, Taylor, Chance and Chair Eddington — all aye. Outcome: approved.

- Ordinance 8‑49‑25 (Acceptance of deed for North Shamrock Road sewer pumping station): The board approved accepting fee simple title to the parcel described in the Harford Woods amended final plat. Commissioner Chismar moved the ordinance; Commissioner Rutledge seconded. Staff noted the action finalizes property paperwork for a pumping station into which the town has already invested. Recorded vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

- Resolution 1260‑25 (Temporarily suspend on‑street parking fines and meter rates for holidays): The board originally considered staff’s recommendation for free metered parking from Dec. 15 through Dec. 26, 2025. Commissioner Taylor moved to amend the start date to Thanksgiving (Nov. 27) following feedback from downtown businesses; the amendment passed. Commissioners discussed whether to add an enforceable 2‑ or 4‑hour time limit but decided only to ask, via postcards and signage, that motorists “please be courteous” and limit stay to four hours; enforcement was not added to the resolution. The amended resolution (free parking from Nov. 27 through Dec. 26, 2025, with a courtesy time‑limit request on outreach material) passed unanimously.

- Contract award: Global Public Safety Corporation (GPS) patrol vehicle accessory package and installation, $87,690.80. The contract covers upfits (radios, lighting, cages, weapon vaults, decal installs and related items) for four marked Ford Interceptor SUVs as part of previously approved vehicle purchases. The town noted the purchase was budgeted at $104,000 and recommended approval via cooperative procurement using a Prince George’s County contract. Commissioner Taylor moved the award; Commissioner Chance seconded. Recorded vote: unanimous. Outcome: approved.

What the board did not change: public hearings on the ordinances were opened and closed with no public comment, and no other ordinance amendments were added. Several board members asked staff to include a courteous time‑limit reminder on outreach materials for the free‑parking program and to study enforcement options for future years.

The meeting record shows unanimous votes on the listed items; the clerk read the roll for each motion and recorded the ayes of Commissioners Rutledge, Chismar, Taylor, Chance and Chair Eddington.